Rapper Milan Jaff at the Itä-Uusimaa District Court in Vantaa. Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva
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Milan Jaff, a convicted gang member and rapper, has appointed a new legal representative in his deportation proceedings. The matter was first reported by Iltalehti. The representative, Anton von Schrowe, previously known as Antti Olavi Taskinen, served 17 and a half years in prison for two homicides and one attempted inheritance-related murder.
Von Schrowe, now a Master of Laws, was convicted in 2006 by Heinola District Court for a series of crimes between 1996 and 2005. His offences included the killing of a cohabiting partner, whom he murdered using prescription drugs in order to inherit the victim’s wealth.
The court also found him guilty of one count of manslaughter and another of aggravated involuntary manslaughter, related to two other male victims who died from overdoses.
Kouvola Court of Appeal in 2007 upheld the convictions for murder and manslaughter but dismissed the charge of aggravated involuntary manslaughter. The appeal court stated that von Schrowe’s actions warranted a longer-than-average prison term. The Supreme Court denied him leave to appeal.
During his sentence, von Schrowe legally changed his name and completed a law degree at the University of Turku. He was released on parole on 31 July 2023, after spending over 17 years in prison, including a monitored probation period of six months. He remains under conditional release until at least mid-2026.
Von Schrowe now advises Milan Jaff in a legal challenge against the Finnish Immigration Service’s decision to deport him to Iraq. The deportation order follows the cancellation of Jaff’s residence permit. Jaff, who arrived in Finland in the late 2010s as an asylum seeker, has been convicted of several serious crimes, including attempted homicide, aggravated robbery, rape, and preparing a violent offence.
He is currently detained at the Joutseno reception centre, pending the final outcome of the deportation proceedings. Authorities have also imposed an indefinite entry ban on him across the entire Schengen Area.
Jaff’s earlier legal representative, Ville Hoikkala, stated in early September that Jaff had intended to withdraw his appeal against the deportation. However, according to Yle, Jaff reversed the decision and retained von Schrowe, who had previously represented him in other legal matters.
According to Yle, von Schrowe informed the media by email that new and significant evidence had emerged that could influence the legality of Jaff’s deportation. He argued that sending Jaff back to Iraq would expose him to immediate and serious personal risk, including threats to his life and liberty. Von Schrowe also referenced Jaff’s role as a rapper and claimed that his artistic expression could make him a target in Iraq.
“Many clients want me to represent them precisely because I understand what it means to be under the force of state machinery, possibly losing one’s freedom, contact rights, and many other rights,” von Schrowe told Yle.
Yle reports that von Schrowe does not hold a licence to act as counsel in general courts such as district courts. He is permitted, however, to represent clients in administrative courts, where formal qualifications such as bar membership are not always required.
Maahanmuuttovirasto, the Finnish Immigration Service, has stated that individuals ordered to leave Finland are usually given the chance to depart voluntarily. Should the court uphold the deportation decision, the police will be responsible for ensuring Jaff’s removal from the country. According to Antti Pikkarainen, a senior officer with the Uusimaa Police, this process can take weeks or even years, depending on the circumstances.
Media coverage of Jaff’s deportation has reached Kurdish outlets, where public commentary has been critical. According to Iltalehti, the decision to appeal came after this international attention and followed Jaff’s own livestream from the detention centre, during which he claimed he could return to Finland at will.
Jaff’s deportation appeal is being processed by the Helsinki Administrative Court. Asylum-related legal documents remain classified, and Yle has confirmed that no supporting documents for the new evidence have been publicly disclosed.
Von Schrowe has not commented further on his criminal past. During his imprisonment, he received a disciplinary punishment in 2020 for drug use but committed no additional crimes. The parole board considered that he had shown structured behaviour through long-term open prison placement, lawful leave conduct, and consistent study and work engagement.
Under Finnish law, a person with a law degree can serve in various legal advisory roles without being a licensed attorney. Hallinto-oikeus, the administrative court, permits legal representation from individuals without formal courtroom accreditation, as long as they possess sufficient legal education.
Von Schrowe said in his email response to Iltalehti that legal representation in administrative cases is not limited to licensed professionals. He quoted legislation that allows any legally capable person to act as counsel in such matters.
The Helsinki Court of Appeal noted in its parole decision that von Schrowe’s risk of reoffending with violent crimes was assessed as moderate. However, it ruled that no obvious danger existed to prevent his release, citing his academic achievements and participation in institutional programmes during incarceration.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
